(_To the Editor._)
In 478 of your entertaining little miscellany, I observe a short account
of an unparalleled feat of riding, performed by John Lepton, of Reprich,
in 1603. As I know you wish to be "quite correct," the following may be
acceptable: it is copied verbatim from a scarce book (in my possession)
entitled, "The Abridgement of the English Chronicle," by Edmund Howes,
imprinted at London, 1668 (15th James I.):--
"In this month, John _Lenton_, of _Kepwick_, in the county of Yorke,
Esq., a gentleman of an ancient family there, and of good reputation,
his majesty's servant, and one of the grooms of his most honourable
privy chamber, performed so memorable a journey as I may not omit to
record the same to future ages; the rather for that I did hear sundry
gentlemen, who were good horsemen, and likewise many good physicians,
affirm it was impossible to be done without danger of his life.
"He undertook to ride five several times betwixt London and Yorke,
in sixe dayes, to be taken in one weeke, between Monday morning and
Saturday following. He began his journey upon Monday, being the 29th of
May, betwixt two and three of the clock in the morning, forthe of St.
Martin's, neere to Aldersgate, within the city of London, and came into
Yorke the same day, between the hours of 5 and 6 in the afternoon, where
he rested that night. The next morning, being Tuesday, about 3 of the
clock he tooke his journey forthe of Yorke, and came to lodgings in St.
Martins aforesaid, betwixt the hours of 6 and 7 in the afternoon, where
he rested that night. The next morning, being Wednesday, betwixt 2 and
3 of the clock, he tooke his journey for the of the city of London, and
came into Yorke about 7 of the clock the same day, where he rested that
night. The next morning, being Thursday, betwixt 2 and 3 of the clock
he tooke his journey forthe of Yorke, and came to London the same day
betwixt 7 and 8 of the clock. The next day, being Friday, betwixt 2
and 3 of the clock he tooke his journey towards Yorke, and came thither
the same day, betwixt the hours of 7 and 8 in the afternoon. So as he
finished his appointed journey (_to the admiration of all men, in five
days, according to his promise_). And upon Monday, the 27th of this
month, he went from Yorke, and came to the court of Greenwich upon
Tuesday the 28th, to his majesty, in as fresh and cheerful a manner
as when he began."
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